Exclusive EP Premiere: ‘MOORS,’ MOORS

Actor-rapper hybrids often pop up with varied results, but we have a feeling that MOORS is here for the long run. Consisting of actor and emcee Keith Stanfield—who is best known for his debut role in Short Term 12, and will next be seen portraying a young Snoop Dogg in the highly anticipated biopic Straight Outta Compton—and producer HH, the rap duo is set to release their self-titled debut EP on October 28, which we’re pleased to premiere here. To compliment the EP, the duo will also be embarking on a nationwide tour with James Vincent McMorrow in November.

Clocking in at a too-short 20 minutes, the self-titled MOORS features four original tracks as well as two remixes. The moodily and beautifully haunting “Asphyxiated” and “Smoke” juxtaposed with the thumping, club-ready “Gas” and “Fire” (we dare you not to clap and groove along) creates a refreshing aural tension, with the tracks tackling meditative and moving lyricisms respectively. The remixed “Gas” by Daedelus and “Asphyxiated” by The Postal Service’s Dntel round out the eclectic EP in an equally excitable fashion.

“MOORS is a trip into the depths of a young outlaw’s innermost feelings and spiritual battles,” explains Stanfield of the EP’s underlying theme. “It follows the transition into various states of understanding and overstanding. A simple journey of self-exploration, expression, and expansion.” HH, who creates the accompanying slow-motion and trippy beats, elaborates even further. “We’re trying to make music with a chiaroscuro view of everyday life, painting both the darkness and the light,” he says. Raphael would certainly approve.

MOORS COMES OUT OCTOBER 28. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE DUO AND THEIR NOVEMBER TOUR WITH JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE.